Circle of Spies by Roseanna M. White

of…earth? A basement lair, then. They must be under Mrs. Hughes’s house. Knowledge that would do little good if that steel bit him.
    His guide halted him. A rap upon wood, and then a returning one from the other side.
    â€œWho comes here?”
    The man beside him cleared his throat. “One who is true to our cause.”
    â€œHow is he known to be true?”
    Under the blindfold, Slade squeezed his eyes shut. How indeed.
    â€œBy the recommendation of a tried Knight.”
    â€œHe can then be trusted?”
    His muscles wanted to tense, wanted to coil. But he held himself perfectly still. No tells.
    â€œSuch is our belief.”
    â€œShould he fail and betray us, he will learn the penalty soon enough. Advance.”
    The door creaked on its hinges, a sound eerie enough to fit into this untold story of Poe. A few steps, and the blade touched him again, bringing him to a quick stop.
    â€œThose who would pass here must face both fire and steel.” A new voice, and he sensed movement from beyond its owner.
    â€œAre you willing to do so?” Hughes now, his voice pitched low.
    Slade’s shoulders bunched—a normal reaction, surely. For this must be their usual induction into the circle, and this his last chance to change his mind. If only he had such a luxury. If only his brother hadn’t forced him here, with this one chance to make right all the wrongs committed in his name.
    â€œI am willing.” Father God, help me.
    â€œAdvance.”
    The blade retreated again, the hands pushed him forward, andHughes ordered him to kneel. His knees met the icy earth. His right hand was loosed, lifted, and settled on the pages of an open book.
    His fingers flexed. Thin paper, smooth and even. A Bible? Despite the freezing air that made his muscles quake, he felt a warmth within. Even here, He was there.
    â€œYou must remember every word you have uttered and will yet utter here tonight. And you must forever bar your lips against repeating them to any but a fellow Knight. If you betray us, the penalty is—”
    â€œDeath!” It came as a chant from all directions, resonant as a thundering cannon. “Death! Death! Death!”
    â€œYou will disclose no names, or you will taste—”
    â€œDeath!”
    â€œYou will always aid a brother Knight, even unto—”
    â€œDeath!”
    â€œYou will abide by all orders, carry out all objects, bear witness, and even swear falsely in order to save a brother’s life or liberty.”
    Slade forced a swallow. A brother’s life or liberty . Admirable…if only those bonds meant anything. If only he had a brother, a true one, left in this life.
    â€œThe business of this new body will be preeminent before all. Before religion. Before political feeling. Before familial duty. It must be first and foremost in everything, at daylight or midnight, at home or abroad, before the law of the land or the affection of wife, mother, or child. It must be all and everything.”
    All and everything—he had One of those already.
    â€œAre you willing to abide by this obligation?”
    He had nothing left to lose. “I am.”
    â€œBrother Knights! Recall to the mind of him who now kneels here the penalty of betrayal, either by sign, word, or deed!”
    Countless blades sang from their sheathes and clanged one to another. Countless voices murmured, groaned, or whispered, “Death! Death! Death !”
    Chilling as the pronouncement was, worse was the silence that followed. It seemed Slade could hear his own pulse in his ears, his blood rushing to the point where the blade still rested, threatening.
    â€œDeath.” Hughes’s voice rang in a final blow. “Show him all.”
    The blindfold was removed, and Slade blinked against the suddenlight. Lanterns were placed at intervals along the wood planked walls. They shone on a dozen swords—all of them pointed directly at his chest, a breath away